1800: 1972 pv1800es

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Very nice Alan!

The Omega clips have already been linked to, easiest place to get them is from the local Volvo dealer :

https://www.gcp.se/en/?s=687299

About £2.80 each give or take after conversion from SEK to GBP.

Headlights - check and clean the fuses as i explained how to in Chris 152s thread (1/4" drill bit and emery cloth), also check to see if there is power reaching the headlamps. They may still be simple sealed beam units, in which case there are many 7" headlight upgrade units with proper LED bulbs available to fit them or you can go for halogen H4 bulbs but may have to uprate the wiring.

Originally Posted by 142 Guy

Indeed, if you are going to switch to H4 bulbs the installation of auxiliary fused relays to supply the headlights directly from the main vehicle bus bar is a worthwhile improvement. First off, it reduces the current flow through the headlight switch and the latching hi/lo relay which extends the life of those components. The second is that it reduces the voltage drop to the headlights significantly. My 142E runs with an alternator voltage typically around 14 volts; but, with the original headlight wiring the voltage at the H4 filaments was about 12.5 volts, less with the interior fan running. That was an 11% drop through the vehicle wiring. Light output from an incandescent bulb varies as a function of about V^^3.4 (depending on your technical reference and the bulb type). An 11% drop in voltage makes a huge difference in light output.

Thank you chaps.

1. I'll tell Janet to get the clips from her Volvo dealer.

2. Fuses? Hang on Dave, surely there isn't going to be a fuse for the headlamps is there? I haven't looked at the wiring diagram yet, but normal practice is to control the headlamps via a relay (and I can hear one clicking). I don't think there will be a fuse involved in this circuit (but I'll check today).

3. LED bulbs would be a really good idea - I'll mention that to Janet and see what she wants to do.

4. The good news is the car came with a nice (but well used) proper Volvo service manual, and a folder full of Volvo green books (although they appear to be mostly for the Amazon - there are quite a few similarities):



Many thanks for your help chaps. I've set aside today to do the immediate jobs:

1. Fix the exhaust banging on the chassis.
2. Get the headlamps working.
3. Investigate the speedometer cable.
4. Fix the windscreen washers (just need putting together properly I think).
5. If time allows I may flush the cooling system - the coolant in there looks well past its best.

What fun!